GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE DECEMBER 23, 1994

FUNDING IT

Lesbian and gay organizations have a friend in Chicago

by Betsy Tabac

In spite of its name, the Chicago Resource Center is a resource for gay and lesbian organizations in Ohio. This private foundation will make grants to organizations that, because of the work they do, cannot get support from traditional funders. Many organizations serving the gay, lesbian, bi and transgender community would qualify for funding.

The following is a description of the Chicago Resource Center. Even if your organization isn't looking for foundation support at this time, save this article because when you

do get ready, CRC is the first place you should consider. The following information will help you know how to position your organization in a proposal.

The Chicago Resource Center funds organizations that "enable people to work to solve their problems." CRC supports organizations which work to end violence and discrimination, provide services and education, or seek to develop public policy in areas where such policy is lacking or inadequate.

Since 1981, CRC has distributed more than $16 million to groups all across the United States that provide programming for battered women, AIDS education and ser-

vices and drug policy reform. Since 1983, CRC has pumped mare than $3 million into programs serving gays and lesbians. Most grant recipients have been start-up organizations or others with small budgets.

Small organizations, with annual budgets of less than $150,000, are the typical grant recipient. The foundation particularly looks for groups outside of major metropolitan areas to support. Typical funding requests range from $2,000 to $10,000.

Small, rural groups have the best chance of receiving support, especially if seeking funding for a resource center or public education program. Do not request money for annual campaigns, deficit financing, building funds or land acquisition, endowments, or scholarships.

Mary Ann Snyder and Janis DiGiovanna comprise the professional staff. Richard Dennis and Thomas Dennis are CRC officers. Write or call to request a funding packet

containing application guidelines, grant listing, 1995 funding cycles and an application form provided by CRC. After reviewing them, call CRC for a preliminary discussion about a project before submitting a proposal. Requests for a funding packet should be addressed to Chicago Resource Center, 104 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 1220, Chicago, Illinois, 60603; 312-759-8700.

Foundations normally do not make grants to individuals but will fund nonprofit, tax exempt organizations, those with a 501(c)(3) designation. Even if the Internal Revenue Service has not designated your organization as tax exempt, you still may be able to receive a grant by working through a fiscal agent that is tax exempt.

Betsy Tabac is the president of GrantMaster, a Cleveland firm specializing in grants funding research and proposal writing.

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